Wiz Lose in the Return of the Mack

Written By Chris C-Ford ---- Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Written By Jeremy Batka @eastcoastassn

Tristan Thompson's three point play with 24 seconds left lifted Cleveland to an 87-84 victory Wednesday night moving the Wizards to 3-23 on the season.

Second year point guard Kyrie Irving proved to be too much for the Wizards dropping 26 points and 8 assists. Irving scored in a variety of ways and proved that he is one of the best up and coming point guards in the NBA if he isn't already.

Wizards fans knew coming into Wednesday night that this was a winnable game. Washington had played close against Cleveland in their first match up before losing by ten down the stretch so Wizard fans can't be blamed for being hopeful before this one.

For most of the game, Wizard fans were right. Washington held a slim lead over the Cavaliers for the majority of the game but as the clock dwindled late in the fourth, you just got that feeling that the Wizards were having trouble hanging on.

Washington debuted a new lineup tonight cutting Earl Barron and Shaun Livingston and adding Garrett Temple and Shelvin Mack. Both were spending time in the D-league just last week.Mack made his return and got the start at point guard after being cut in the pre-season. Mack had six points and seven assists in 29 minutes of play and while he was by no means dominating in his first game back, he certainly didn't look any worse than A.J. Price or Shaun Livingston.

Nene was also in the starting lineup scoring 16 points with seven rebounds in 26 minutes. This could be a good sign for the Wizards as it seems Nene is now healthy enough to not only start but receive more playing time.

Emeka Okafor and Jordan Crawford both led Washington in scoring with 17. Okafor added 10 rebounds on a night were he actually hitting his mid-range jumper, something that he needs to do to be a productive member of this basketball team.

Crawford had a good look at a long three that would have sent the game
to overtime but it was too strong. As Randy Wittman put it after the
game, the Wizards just aren't making plays in "winning time."